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Improvements Needed To Government Dental Programs

Dr. King Says Programs Need To Broaden Their Effectiveness, Efficiency and Reach

Ontario's low income dental programs need to be reviewed to improve their effectiveness, efficiency and reach, says the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. Arlene King says Ontario has made significant progress in providing dental care to low-income Ontarians, but more needs to be done. There are a number of publicly funded programs available including the Children In Need of Treatment (CINOT) dental program, Healthy Smiles Ontario, Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. According to Dr. King, these programs amount to a patchwork of services that are difficult for people to navigate, and difficult to assess in terms of health outcomes achieved and return on investment.

In her report, "Oral Health - More Than Just Cavities," Dr. King calls on the province to consider integrating these programs to make it easier for people to access the care that is needed, when it is needed.

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Quotes

“We have made significant strides in providing dental services to people who struggle to pay from their own pockets. But current efforts are not enough. Opportunities exist to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of current publicly funded programs so we can improve access to oral health services for Ontarians.”